Clicking Noise from Engine or Belts?

Hi, newbie to the forum here. I am the original owner of my 2004 Tundra with 275k miles and just noticed a clicking noise coming from the Engine block or the fans, hard to decipher.

Any help diagnosing this would be greatly appreciated. Video and sound below:



Thanks!

 

I have the exact same sound specifically on the driver's side of the engine block, along the valve cover just like yours. My truck has 72,200 miles and lives garaged in a salt-free area.

My fan is also not 100% centered; I think that's normal.

 

Thank you for the info, so don't be alarmed?

 

I'm going to replace the Tensioner Pulley and Serpentine Belt with OEM replacements and I will let you all know what that does to the sound.

 

Others may have an opinion on this. I don't, because I hear it in my truck also.

I thought at first it was lifter noise, and I've seen two other threads where others had similar observation, "almost like lifter noise". But I'd wait for others to listen to the clip you posted (that's super helpful).

I just find it odd, I have the exact same rhythm to my 'tap tap tap tap' as I'm hearing in your video. Mine isn't quite that loud, but videos don't always capture volumes and sounds well.

Generally though, my tapping has the same pitch and frequency at idle, and just like your video, it's loudest if my ear is roughly above the middle of the driver's side valve cover. It sounds in the video (w/headphones on) yours is louder there too.

 

Oh, and in case it helps w/serpentine, https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-910#post-2613945

 

Thank you for the info and your insight, very helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off. I have the oem parts coming in this weekend, if they get here in time, I will post an update about the noise this weekend, if not, look for an update next weekend, Feb 11 - 13th.

 

Reading it could also be the timing chain tensioner. "3URFEs only require 6 psi oil pressure(per spec) at idle. As the tensioner bore becomes worn, it evidently allows the chain to slack enough to create this audible noise. Usually, with increased RPMs, the noise subsides. Per Toyota Master Tech - the engine will operate normally for a very long time with this issue as it is only a problem at low engine load."

 

You have a 2UZ-FE, not a 3UR-FE. It has a timing belt, not a timing chain, so no chain tensioner. That said, if you don't know the last time the timing belt was changed, that's a problem, if it ever breaks, your engine will grenade.

Toyota wants you to change it every 9 years OR 90k miles whichever comes first. If you have no evidence yours has been done within that history, that's the first thing I'd be worried about, not the drive/serp belt.

 

Thank you for catching that.

 

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

 

I second the timing belt check. Not to fix your sound but if you don't know if it's been done and you're the original owner I wouldn't run that engine for another second. You're up to where you should have had 3 timing belt changes.
You can pull the cover back on the passenger side (easier side I think) in about 5 minutes with a 10mm wrench and see the belt.
Not sure about your noise though.

 

Holy shit, I bet that was spendy. The Aisin kit might've saved you about 50% (Aisin and Denso both make OEM parts).

I take it you're 100% positive the timing belt has never been changed or you checked it out to look for cracks and wear?

 

Don't ignore the timing belt. It may be a pricey project, but ignoring it is way more expensive when your belt breaks and a piston slaps a valve. I caught mine at just the right time as this one only had 140,000 miles on it, but it was the original.

 

Those clicks arent the injectors clicking? It was more noticiable on the sequoia with quiet exhaust, but i can hear it on the tundra when my hood is up.

 

4.7’s sound like sewing machines
If you hear a diesel clack I’d check your timing component and tensioner

 

That may be the worst one I've seen. How old was the truck when you replaced it?

 

It was 15 years old when I replaced it in 2020. I thought the previous owners changed it when they had it, but when the timing belt tensioner started clattering and making a bunch of noise, I parked it and got it changed right away.

 

A lot of the early 4.7s developed exhaust manifold cracks. Causes a ticking sound when cold that lessens when it warms up. Was told the assembly robots overtorqued the manifolds.

 

The manifolds developed cracks at the exhaust pipe to head flange welds. Mine looked like this when I replaced them.

 

Hopefully those are straight from the dealer. Lots of counterfeits from Amazon and eBay

Look for small Made in China stickers.

I second cracked Manifold.

 

This was only limited to ''00-'02 though, correct?

 

not sure when/if they got it sorted. These exhaust manifolds would have been used until the switch to VVTI and air pumps in the 05-06. Stronger welds in the area pictured was the fix. Or headers of course.

 

Cracked exhausts are no respecter of make or model, can happen to anyone regardless of wether it was a specific known problem or not.

 

Alright fellas, sorry for the delayed response, but I caught pneumonia and have been out ever since. I ended up ordering all of my parts through Cobb County and La Grange Toyota in Georgia, I'm from Texas and everything got here within a week, except for the LCAs, those took a month and were back ordered. Full list of parts with the part numbers below for anyone going through the same:

9046710161 8 $ 0.94 BOARD; CLIP; RETAINER
753110C020 1 $ 21.87 Grille Emblem (Front)
9091901166 8 $ 1.38 Spark Plug
9021007003 18 $ 2.54 Engine Valve Cover Grommet
9091603100 1 $ 17.81 Engine Coolant Thermostat
16410AZ012 1 $ 130.41 RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
165710F031 2 $ 16.35 Radiator Coolant Hose
90311A0001 1 $ 9.64 Engine Crankshaft Seal
166200W101 1 $ 65.95 TENSIONER ASSEMBLY, V-RIBBED BELT
165720F011 1 $ 24.98 Radiator Coolant Hose
1634650010 2 $ 3.91 GASKET, THERMOSTAT
1610009201 1 $ 105.42 Engine Water Pump
90916A2003 1 $ 34.51 Serpentine Belt
1354050030 1 $ 51.25 Engine Timing Belt Tensioner
CHAIN, NO. 1; TIMING BELT.
135030F010 1 $ 88.53 Engine Timing Belt Idler
135050F010 1 $ 88.30 Engine Timing Belt Tensioner Pulley
1356809070 2 $ 43.47 Engine Timing Belt


Order Summary:
17 products , 51 items $ 830.41
Tax $ 49.82
Total $ 880.23

The truck sounds great, the compression loss is completely gone and the squealing/ticking is gone as well.

 

This man is correct, do not waste your time on ebay or Amazon, you get what you pay for.

 

Suspension parts replaced:

La Grange Toyota

9017118003 1 $ 1.33 Suspension Ball Joint Nut / Washer (Left, Right, Front, Lower)
CASTLE (FOR FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT LEFT); CASTLE (FOR FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT RIGHT).
9017118003 1 $ 1.33 Suspension Ball Joint Nut / Washer (Left, Right, Front, Lower)
CASTLE (FOR FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT LEFT); CASTLE (FOR FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT RIGHT).
4334039595 1 $ 123.06 Suspension Ball Joint (Left, Front, Lower)
4333039825 1 $ 123.06 Suspension Ball Joint (Right, Front, Lower)
48069340401$ 250.56Suspension Control Arm (Left, Front, Lower)
48068340401$ 250.56Suspension Control Arm (Right, Front, Lower)
48452350204$ 17.20Alignment Camber Adjusting Eccentric (Front)
48409340302$ 16.39Alignment Camber Adjusting Eccentric (Front)
48409340202$ 17.88Alignment Camber Adjusting Eccentric (Front)
9008011410 2 $ 5.84 BOLT, WITH WASHER
9008011275 2 $ 6.91 BOLT, WITH WASHER

JBA-18.00.HC.EZ JBA STD High Caster Upper Control Arms for Toyota Tundra '00-'06, Sequoia '01-'07 1

BILSTEIN 5110 SHOCK AND STRUTS

Dobinson Front Coil Springs 1.5" - 2.75"
C59-314


Energy Suspension 9.6104R Coil Spring Isolator Set

$31 KYB SM5442 - Mount and Insulator

KYB SM5442 - Mount and Insulator


Suspension Maxx Extended Front Sway Bar Links

ICON 2000 - 2006 Tundra 1.5" Lift Rear Expansion Pack

33" roadian mts

ksp 1.5" spacers on the way


These floor mats are for 07 and up, but I could not find any for the 1st gen Tundra. They fit just fine and look great for anyone looking to replace those shitty aftermarket mats.

PT9083410102 1 $ 67.85 All-Weather Floor Mats
Altogether, it was about 3k in parts and $2500 in Labor.

 

SAS!

 

I have the same sound on mine, only during cold weather, does it for a few seconds at cold start. Like others have mentioned, this is caused by a leak/fissure on the exhaust manifold